When we have these foreign criminals committing offence after offence, and we cannot send them home because of their 'right to a family life', that needs to change.

David Cameron

"We are very clear about what we want: British judges making decisions in British courts, and the British Parliament being accountable to the British people," the Prime Minister told MPs.

"The plans that were set out in our manifesto do not involve us leaving the European convention on human rights, but let us be absolutely clear about our position if we cannot achieve what we need; I am very clear about that.

"When we have these foreign criminals committing offence after offence, and we cannot send them home because of their 'right to a family life', that needs to change.

"I rule out absolutely nothing in getting that done," he added.

Tory frontbencher David Gauke, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, later echoed Mr Cameron's threat.

Asked if Britain could quit the convention on the BBC2 Daily Politics show yesterday, Mr Gauke said: "If membership of the European Convention of Human Rights is preventing us from achieving what we want to do, then the Prime Minister was

very explicit, we would not rule that out."

The Prime Minister's remarks were welcomed by Tory backbenchers who had feared the Government was shying away from a showdown with Strasbourg.